Friday update

Drivers stand alongside their vehicles on the M5 motorway near Taunton in Somerset after the road was closed following a collision between a lorry and several cars in which two people died (Image: PA)

20:16

Still delays on M5

Highways England is saying there is around seven miles of congestion on the approach to the reopened section of motorway

19:53KEY EVENT

M5 reopens after fatal crash

Emergency services have finished their work at the scene of this morning’s fatal collision in Somerset and the M5 has now fully reopened, Avon and Somerset Police has said.

18:48KEY EVENT

Hour-long delays as recovery work continues

Update from Highways England

M5 southbound between J24 and J25 near Taunton remains closed due to a serious collision.

Recovery contractors are working at the scene to clear the vehicles involved.

Delays on the approach are severe and remain at 60 minutes. Please seek an alternative route if possible.

17:57

How long will the southbound M5 be closed?

Highways England is saying normal traffic conditions aren’t expected until around 8.30pm - that’s 12 hours after the fatal collision claimed the lives of a man and a woman.

The closed section of the M5 near Taunton (Image: Highways England)

17:55

How long are delays?

Traffic heading south between junctions 22 and 24 are experiencing delays of around one and a half hours

17:42

Southbound still closed

The northbound carriageway reopened at about midday

The southbound M5 is still closed while emergency services carry out a detailed examination of the scene and recover the vehicles.

17:41

Appeal for witnesses

Avon and Somerset Police would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the collision. If you can help, please call 101.

17:12

'Thoughts with families'

Inspector Frazer Davey of Avon and Somerset police said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives or been injured on the M5 today.

“While I appreciate how disruptive the road closure is I’m sure people will understand our need to carry out a thorough investigation to establish exactly how this happened.

“I’d like to thank people for their patience while the emergency teams are working at the scene and as the vehicles are being recovered.”

17:03KEY EVENT

Man and woman killed in seven-vehicle M5 crash

A HGV and six cars were involved in the collision on the southbound M5 near to junction 24, Huntworth. It happened just after 8.30am today, police have said.

The female driver of one car and the male passenger of another car died at the scene.

Two women from the same two vehicles went to Southmead hospital with serious injuries. Specially trained family liaison officers are supporting the families.

Two other people went to Musgrove Park Hospital for treatment. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing. One other person was treated at the scene and released.

16:50

Trapped traffic still being released

Traffic trapped within the southbound closure is being released via lane 3 past the incident, Highways England is saying

15:48KEY EVENT

Avoid driving to South West from The Midlands

Highways England is warning motorists heading from the Midlands and Gloucestershire towards the South West to avoid the M5

A Highways England spokesperson said: “We are encouraging people to avoid going down M5 if they can.

“People travelling down from the Midlands are strongly advised to find an alternative route.

“The M5 southbound between junctions 22 and 24 currently has around a 60 minute delay.

“A lane has been reopened now to released traffic and vehicles are being diverted onto the A38.”

The northbound carriageway was reopened at around 12pm.

15:14

Traffic being released

14:02

Good Samaritans helping out

14:00

Patience and understanding and a sense of perspective

13:35KEY EVENT

Dial 999 if you're stuck in M5 queues and need urgent assistance

lan Prime, Duty Operations Manager at Highways England said:

“We are working with emergency services at the scene but it will be some time before the southbound route can reopen. Our priority now is to release drivers trapped and we are turning traffic around at the back of the queue. To help us make this happen as quickly as possible we are asking everyone to stay with their vehicles.

“Should anyone in the queue require urgent medical assistance please call 999 as you would normally. We would like to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation while we work to get traffic moving again.”

13:08KEY EVENT

M5 partially reopens after fatal collision

The latest from Avon and Somerset police:

“The M5 has partially reopened following a fatal collision between Huntworth and Taunton.

While the southbound carriageway remains closed between junctions 24 and 25, the motorway has reopened northbound.

“The southbound carriageway will remain closed for some time while emergency services complete their work at the scene.

12:44

Patience and understanding from motorsits

12:43

People helping each other out in the queues

12:42KEY EVENT

Latest from Highways England

The latest from Highways England

The M5 is closed southbound between J24 and J25 due to a serious collision.

It was also closed northbound, however this carriageway has since re-opened.

Avon and Somerset Police accident investigation is on going.

Traffic trapped within the closure is being released at the rear of the queue.

Road users are asked to follow the below diversion:

Southbound - follow the “Solid Diamond” symbol. Exit the motorway and follow the A38 south to rejoin the M5 at J25.

Please allow extra time for your journey. Should you be travelling in the area.

12:26

Southbound could be closed until after 6pm

Latest from Highways England

Location The M5 southbound entry slip at junction J24

Reason Accident investigation

Status Currently Active

Time To Clear The event is expected to clear between 18:00 and 18:15 on 13 September 2018

Return To Normal Normal traffic conditions are expected between 18:00 and 18:15 on 13 September 2018

12:18KEY EVENT

This is why the M5 is closed for so long after fatal crashes, fires and pile-ups

Here, Avon and Somerset Police explain why motorways can be shut for so long in a bid to show motorists the bigger, more important picture. Full details here

12:12KEY EVENT

M5 northbound reopens

This from Highways England

Northbound has RE-OPENED. However, Southbound will remain closed for a few more hours, likely over rush hour. Traffic trapped within the closure is still being released at the rear of the queue. Thank you for your patience.

12:04

What South Western Ambulance is saying

A South Western Ambulance spokesperson said:

“We were called at 8.25am to reports of a serious road traffic collision.

“We have attended with six ambulances, an operations officer, two air ambulances, three rapid response vehicles, a doctor and the hazard area response team.

“This incident is currently ongoing.”

11:55

Motorists told to return to their cars

11:53

What are police saying?

Avon and Somerset Police said the incident involved several cars and a HGV.

A police spokesman said:

“All the agencies are working as quickly as possible to reopen the northbound carriageway but the southbound carriageway is expected to remain closed for the foreseeable future while emergency services complete their work at the scene.

“We’re deploying well-rehearsed plans to release motorists currently held in the road closure. It’s important for motorists to remain in their vehicles to avoid further unnecessary delay.”

11:39KEY EVENT

Fatalities confirmed in M5 crash

Police have confirmed that two people have been killed in the collision on the M5.

Four people have been injured, two of them seriously. More soon

10:54

This from the BBC

10:44

The closed part of the M5 in Somerset

Black means traffic is not moving, the hatching is where the M5 is closed (Image: Highways England)

Black means traffic is not moving, the hatching is where the M5 is closed

10:41

Lastest from police

This is what Avon and Somerset Police area saying on Twitter

M5 closed jnc 24 south Huntworth & jnc 25 north Taunton after a serious collision at about 8.30am today. Fire, police & ambulance service, including the air ambulance & highways are on scene. Expect road to remain closed for some time to allow emergency services to work.